Sydney Writers Festival 2024 credit Jacquie Manning
NSW is home to a rich and dynamic literary ecosystem, supported by world-class publishers, a great depth of writing talent, and diverse network of festivals, libraries, schools, booksellers and literary organisations.
Find support, funding opportunities and resources dedicated for writers and literature practitioners in NSW.
Developed in consultation with writers, publishers, educators, festivals, libraries and cultural organisations, Stories Matter offers a targeted, high-impact framework to expand access to reading and writing, grow new audiences, and build a sustainable, inclusive and globally connected literary sector.
Kirli Saunders at the South Coast Readers & Writers Festival 2024, Thirroul District Community Centre & Library. Photo: Matt Houston, Ironbark Photography
Kirli Saunders at the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival 2024. Photo: Matt Houston, Ironbark Photography
Investing in authors - current opportunities
Stories Matter: NSW Literary Fellowships
NSW writers, illustrators, and playwrights can apply for this literary fellowship program, designed and delivered in partnership with Writing NSW.
The program has been designed to help literature practitioners at every career stage with:
- 4 emerging fellows
- 3 mid-career fellows
- 3 established fellows.
Each fellowship includes $50,000 funding, combined with the essential industry support to help progress the practitioner's work from page to publication and performance.
Applications close 27 July 2026
Read the guidelines here. Visit Writing NSW for application support and resources and to apply.
Literature and writing partnership programs
Writing Australia
Create NSW investment in Writing Australia programs will support:
- LitUp: connecting authors and illustrators with regional schools and communities to inspire the next generation of readers and creators.
- International Market Development programs: promoting NSW writers and illustrators in key international markets.
- International touring, translation and publication: creating new pathways for NSW stories to reach global audiences.
WestWords Academy
The WestWords Academy provides early career development to the cohort of selected artists, supporting and mentoring them to hone their craft, develop projects, seek opportunities and run arts events.
Throughout the year WestWords will organise seminars and workshops, led by expert facilitators focusing on everything you need to know to be a writer – beyond the words on the page. This program is proudly supported by Create NSW.
Creative Journalism Fellowship
A new arts and cultural mentorship program by ArtsHub and supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
Designed to bridge the gap between study and professional journalism experience for emerging arts journalists and writers in NSW.
Over a six-month period, 10 participants gained real-world journalism experience, mentored and trained by ArtsHub’s team of experienced journalists, editors and media industry leaders.
Read their articles
Unlocking space for literature creative residencies
The Rocks Creative Terraces Affordable Residencies Program
A transformative opportunity for NSW literature practitioners to live and work in the heart of Sydney at a subsidised, below-market rate!
Expressions of Interest for 2026 have now closed. Stay tuned for new opportunities when they become available.
The Rocks Creative Residency - frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about The Rocks Creative Terraces Affordable Residency Program
Create NSW
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Supporting NSW writers' festivals
News
Ten NSW literary fellows will be supported to develop new work and flourish within a supportive creative community.
29 June 2026
Launching today, NSW writers, illustrators, and playwrights can apply for a major new literary fellowship program, backed by $500,000 funding from Create NSW. The new Stories Matter: NSW Literary Fellowships signals a major commitment to strengthening the state’s literary ecosystem, ensuring NSW’s diverse voices and stories are celebrated and elevated globally.
Heritage terraces in The Rocks transformed into an affordable residency for literature creatives
30 March 2026
NSW authors, playwrights, illustrators and other literature creatives are invited to unlock a transformative opportunity to live and work in the heart of Sydney, at a subsidised, below-market rate, thanks to a new initiative The Rocks Creative Terraces Affordable Residencies Program.
Create NSW
The launch of the strategy
17 October 2026
Stories Matter: A Writing and Literature Strategy for NSW is our state’s first ever dedicated literature and writing strategy. Stories define our identity, reading and writing underpins educational success, promotes social cohesion, builds empathy and cultivates critical thinking.
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